UIN Jakarta Holds Public Lecture on Law and Democracy, Emphasizing Checks and Balances and Critical Thinking
Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN News Online – UIN Jakarta, in collaboration with Integrity Law Scholarship and the Constitutional and Administrative Law Society (CALS), hosted a public lecture titled "Wajah Hukum Pemerintahan Baru: Antara Asa dan Realita." Held on Thursday (6/2/2025) at the Harun Nasution Auditorium, the event featured two distinguished speakers: constitutional law expert Prof. Dr. Jimly Asshiddiqie, S.H., M.H., and political analyst Rocky Gerung.
The lecture, attended by faculty leaders and students from the Faculty of Sharia and Law (FSH) UIN Jakarta, provided a platform for critical discussions on the evolving role of law in governance, democratic principles, and the importance of maintaining checks and balances in the new government administration.
In his speech, Prof. Jimly Asshiddiqie emphasized that democracy is not limited to elections alone but extends to the broader framework of governance and public participation. He argued that politics influences various aspects of daily life and that a strong democratic system relies on effective checks and balances.
“Checks and balances are essential not only among government institutions—executive, legislative, and judicial—but also within society itself. Public discourse must accommodate diverse perspectives to maintain equilibrium and prevent the dominance of a single authority,” he explained.
He also reiterated Indonesia’s status as a legal state, stressing that the country must uphold the rule of law rather than the rule of men.
“Our Founding Fathers envisioned Indonesia as a nation governed by the rule of law, ensuring justice for all. We must safeguard this principle to prevent the misuse of law as a tool of power (rule by law),” he added.
While acknowledging challenges in Indonesia’s legal and democratic systems, Prof. Jimly expressed optimism about the country’s progress, calling for a collaborative effort between the government and the public to strengthen legal institutions.
On the same occasion, political analyst Rocky Gerung provided a sharp critique of current governance, policy-making, and the role of law in maintaining public order. He warned that hastily implemented regulations without thorough mitigation strategies could lead to new societal issues.
“Laws and policies that are enacted without proper risk assessment often create unintended problems rather than solutions,” he remarked.
He also encouraged students and scholars to revitalize Indonesia’s tradition of critical thinking, arguing that academic knowledge must be applied constructively to foster better governance and policymaking.
“Intellectual achievements are meaningless if they are not translated into tangible contributions to society. Critical thinking must be exercised and invested wisely,” he emphasized.
The public lecture served as a valuable platform for discussion and reflection on Indonesia’s legal and political landscape. By fostering a culture of accountability, encouraging legal literacy, and promoting critical thinking, UIN Jakarta continues to play a significant role in shaping the future of legal and democratic discourse in Indonesia.
The event concluded with a dynamic question-and-answer session, where students and faculty engaged in meaningful discussions with the speakers, further strengthening the exchange of ideas on law, democracy, and governance.
